Name a Beatles cover that's better than the original.

[elperromagico]

I'll go with "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker, even though I love the Sgt. Pepper version.

It's a hard choice. Give it a shot any damn way.

[Wat_Tyler]

1. Dear Prudence by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

[cjbuchanan]

3. I was about to type this exact same song

Good to know I'm not the only one.

[meegbear]

11. Now THAT is a great cover

and one of my favorite Siouxsie songs.

[Dora]

12. Yes!

[MotownLew]

20. Absolutely. And Siouxsie is so, uh, Goth. n/t

[lady raven]

82. That IS a great cover! And I agree!

There's just one I like more

[tk2kewl]

2. I'm with ya!

[MercutioATC]

4. "Imagine" by Perfect Circle is a good modern-day version.

The kids like it and they're still getting the message.

[ben_packard]

9. not technically a beatles song...

but meh

[MercutioATC]

25. Yeah, I know, but it's by a Beatle...

I'm not a real purist. Most of what I listen to, my 13-year-old son enjoys too (or should I say that I enjoy most of what my 13-year-old listens to?).

"Imagine" is about the message, and it's still there in the Perfect Circle version.

[akwapez]

33. disagree

Perfect Circle's "Imagine" has to be one of the worst cover songs ever. Just my opinion,

[donheld]

67. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Oreo]

5. Better... maybe not but I like it

The Breeders - Happiness is a Warm Gun

[stinkeefresh]

54. haven't heard the Breeder's version

But Tori Amos' version on Strange Little Girls is haunting.

(So's the whole album- incredible. I think it's her "music for boys" album. All covers of male songwriters, especially the ones boys tend to like. Her cover of the most controvertial Eminem song ever will blow your mind.)

But back to the Beatle's: I guess I gotta go with those who say no cover is better. Especially if it's a song that John sang.

[meegbear]

6. Alice Cooper - Because

great makeover.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. What about all those great covers from

...the movie with Peter Frampton?



-ducking-

[Oreo]

38. And the Bee Gees!

I was about 8 when that was out and thought it was one of the coolest movies ever. I'm so proud I was into good music when I was young!
Edit... I'm talking about the Beatles not the Bee Gees!!

[ProfessorGAC]

87. Did Anything Hit Ya?

Probably lots of bricks and sticks flying your way, huh?
The Professor

[Devil Dog Dem]

8. "Come Together" by Aerosmith

Bad ass!

[lady raven]

83. That's my favorite! It rocks!

They have a live version of "Helter Skelter" that's good too.

[ProfessorGAC]

88. I Like That Too

I like it quite a bit better than the original. Might be the only cover i like better. Some mentioned here, i like. But, i wouldn't say they were better than the original. Really, really good, and different. But, CT by Aerosmith is BETTER, and i don't really like Aerosmith that much.
The Professor

[chelsea0011]

10. Yesterday by John Davidson

[elperromagico]

14. How about "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" by William Shatner?

:D

[chelsea0011]

27. I've always liked his version

[Nikepallas]

13. The only cover I like better is Bette Middler's cover of In My Life

[welshTerrier2]

69. In My Life - Judy Collins

my favorite version of In My Life was done by Judy Collins ...

[NuckinFutz]

15. sorry. I contend that there is no such thing....n/t

[Sputnik]

16. Maybe just me

but I prefer Ray Charles' cover of "Let It Be."

[mark0rama]

17. You mean besides William Shatner's "Lucy in the Sky," right?

On edit: damn, you beat me to it, you magic dog!

[Tabasco_Dave]

18. Got to get you into my life

by Earth Wind & Fire

[XNASA]

19. "Tomorrow Never Knows" by 801

801, of course, featured Manzanera and Eno. Who else would have the audacity, and the talent, to play TNK live.

[bunkerbuster1]

35. It was a great idea

and thrilling to hear, but I don't think for a minute it actually tops the Revolver track.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

75. you beat me to it

Of all the rock albums I own, "801 Live" is my favorite, and "TNK" is my favorite song on that album. If I could have only one desert island disc, it would be that album. "TNK" is so much better than the original it just isn't funny.

I didn't have to Google for this link; it has been in my favorites for years.

801 Live Links to reviews, articles, photographs and press

BTW, do you have "Diamond Head?" My favorite song on that album is "Miss Shapiro."

Manzanera.com

[mahatmakanejeeves]

76. you beat me to it

Of all the rock albums I own, "801 Live" is my favorite, and "TNK" is my favorite song on that album. If I could have only one desert island disc, it would be that album. "TNK" is so much better than the original it just isn't funny.

I didn't have to Google for this link; it has been in my favorites for years.

801 Live Links to reviews, articles, photographs and press

BTW, do you have "Diamond Head?" My favorite song on that album is "Miss Shapiro."

Manzanera.com

[XNASA]

81. I once had Diamond Head.

I had all the Eno/Roxy/801/etc. stuff on vinyl at one time. But it was all sold when I was a starving musician.

I recently heard the 801 Live album at a friend's place about a month ago and that's what made me think of TNK.

What I need to do, is go back to my roots and start recollecting all that stuff on disc.

I haven't bought anything new in the last 5 years that I thought was any good. Well except for Radiohead perhaps.

I did catch Roxy last year and the show was kind of flat. The Ferry show in late 2002 was much better.

Cheers.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

21. Fiona Apple's "Across The Universe"

I know I'll get shot for liking that cover better than the original, but I do. :D

[Oreo]

34. Like it but not better

Across the Universe is one of my favorite Beatles songs. I like the cover a lot (it's from the Pleasantville soundtrack) but have to stick with one of the 5 or so versions the Beatles did.

[mvd]

57. I don't think any are better, but that one is equal

Good choice! Fiona does a haunting version, and also puts her own stamp on it. :hi:

[arwalden]

22. Didn't Michael Jackson Do "Come Together"?

Is it just me? Or does "Come Together" sound dirty?

[elperromagico]

31. He did do a cover of it, yes.

Can't say I've ever heard it, though.

[deadmessengers]

23. U2 did a great version of Helter Skelter n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

49. So did Pat Benatar

She's kicks ass.

[auburngrad82]

24. I like Eddie Vedder's cover of

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.

I'm a big Beatles fan but I like the understated quality of the Vedder cover.

[deadmessengers]

46. Oasis covers that as well

They do a pretty good job, IMO

[bunkerbuster1]

26. The Electric Love Muffin's "Norweigian Wood."

I'm sure you've all heard it.

Other than that, I honestly cannot think of anyone who bettered the Fab Four at their own game.

[DelawareValleyDem]

28. Every Little Thing by Yes

Also She Came in Through the Bathroom Window by Cocker

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

29. Big Youth's version of We Can Work it Out

[petepillow]

30. I don't know if I agree with many of these listed

but how about the Pixies - Wild Honey Pie?

[CO Liberal]

32. "Till There Was You"

Much better than Anita Bryant's.

ON EDIT - The original post in this thread is kinda confusing - I took it to mean cover versions that The Beatles did of other artist's songs. There were many of those in their first few albums.

[elperromagico]

48. Methinks you didn't read the post.

Methinks you jumped to conclusions. Methinks that's your problem.

Methinks. :D

[CO Liberal]

56. Methinks It Was Unclear

I took it to mean that a cover version of someone else's sone done by The Beatles. Songs like "Anna", "Till There Was You", "You've Really Got a Hold On Me", "Honey Don't", "Long Tall Sally" and "Rock and Roll Music".

[elperromagico]

59. So Joe Cocker wrote "With A Little Help From My Friends"?

I had no idea.

Repeat: You didn't read the post. :D

[stinkeefresh]

60. In that case, the answer would be simple

Every cover the Beatles did they did better than the original. If you doubt it, play Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven", followed by John Lennon singing the same track. The contrast is overwhelming.

[Socialist Dem]

70. Uh, George sang "Roll Over Beethoven"

but you're right...it's like two totally different songs with the same lyrics.

[buckettgirl]

36. There aren't any!!

The Beatles are the best!
Btw, their new box set is being released on 11/16... YYYAAAYYY
The Capitol Albums Vol 1
*First Time Ever on CD...Meet The Beatles, The Beatles’ Second Album, Something New and Beatles ‘65....presented in both Stereo and Mono
Get it at amazon.com!

[DelawareValleyDem]

37. You make a good point

Thanks for the info on the box set. It's going to make a great Christmas gift.

[elperromagico]

40. Ringo, please!

We know you're the poorest Beatle, but do you really need the money this badly? ;)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. Stevie Wonder's cover of We Can Work it Out

[Bossy Monkey]

79. No fair cheating by leaving out the quotation marks

to get your post up before mine!:D

(Can't believe nobody had mentioned it before we did)

[Bossy Monkey]

41. Stevie Wonder, "We Can Work It Out"

As a little kid, I was pissed off at the Beatles for stealing Stevie's song.:D

[gollygee]

42. Got To Get You Into My Life by Earth, Wind and Fire

I think that's a really fun remake

[Brotherjohn]

44. Ditto. That may be the ONLY one, IMHO. (nt)

[Robroy]

43. Here Comes The Sun

from Woodstock, by Richie Havens?

[Mr Creosote]

64. I've got a feeling

that he did an excellent version of Strawberry Fields. Someone did anyway.

[KurtNYC]

45. Here Comes the Sun - Richie Havens

might not be better but I like it. He stripped it to its essense and its essence is pretty darn good.

Got to Get you Into My Life as covered by Earth Wind & Fire was good too. Love the horns.

[smiley_glad_hands]

47. Imagine: A Perfect Circle

[bloodyjack]

50. "Wild Honey Pie" by the Pixies

:thumbsup:

[petepillow]

62. THANK YOU!

That's what I said too! Although I made the mistake of not putting it in the subject line. That version takes paul's vision and kicks up 12 notches! Glorious.

[bobbobbins]

51. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John

his version rocks alot more, he also hits the Whos pinball wizard outta the park. PS. A perfect circles imagine is terrible, imagine is one of those songs you just don't remake, it was perfect in its original format.

[elperromagico]

52. Doesn't Elton's version feature "the Reggae guitars

of Dr. Winston O'Boogie" (aka John Lennon)?

[bobbobbins]

55. yup, that makes the song all the better

[yorgatron]

53. eleanor rigby-ray charles

at this point i'd rather hear the covers than the originals...

[donheld]

66. Aretha

kicked Eleanor's ass.

[donheld]

65. IMHO

the beatles is like a rough stick figure drawing

Elton's version is digital psychedelic fabulous color. Sometimes it just takes a fairy :evilgrin:

[jocal]

58. Hey Jude -- Wilson Pickett

[Bucky]

61. Off topic, but Devo's "Satisfaction" was better than the Stones'

[d_b]

63. Dead Kennedys 'Back in the U.S.S.R.'

[Groggy]

68. Blackbird by Kenny Rankin

HANDS DOWN! Love it!!

[Dukakis88]

71. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" by The Breeders

[solinvictus]

72. I agree...

"Pod" was an underrated album.

[GingerSnaps]

73. Siouxie Sue "Dear Prudence"

I love Siouxie's version.

[waldnorm]

74. Covers I Really Like

"Dear Prudence" Siouxsie and the Banshees
"Tomorrow Never Knows" Danielle Dax
"Let It Be" Kate Bush (never released as single or an album, though)

[ND_Democrat]

77. Rocky Racoon by Jack Johnson

Only plays it live but it's still a pretty good cover

[NightTrain]

78. My favorite Beatles cover is Stevie Wonder's "We Can Work It Out."

I can't, however, say that it's better than the Fab Four's original. It's just as good, though!

[Bryan]

80. "She Said She Said" by Gov't Mule

Wonderful version. The slower tempo really draws out the depressive angst of the lyrics.

[AntiCoup2K4]

84. Blasphemers!

There are NO Beatles covers better than the original. And the majority of those who try to cover them destroy their own careers in the process.

[DrGonzoLives]

85. "Taxman"

by Stevie Ray Vaughn

[Wat_Tyler]

86. Taxman by the Jam.

[ProfessorGAC]

89. My Band's Version of Elanor Rigby

Yeah, i know, i know. "You're so vain" and all. But, it's really cool. The recording engineer thought we should put in first on our first album. We overruled him. Then, we ran out of money after the mastering, so it was a moot point anyway.

But, it's a really cool version of it.
The Professor